YMCA Strong Kids campaign gets provincial boost

MLAs Terry Lake and Todd Stone enjoy some play time at the John Tod Centre YMCA Friday morning following a funding announcement.

Image Credit: @toddstonebc via Twitter

February 27, 2015 - 1:06 PM

KAMLOOPS - The YMCA gives families a chance to be physically active together and the provincial government decided to recognize that effort with funding as the Strong Kids fundraising campaign enters the final week.

Health Minister Terry Lake was on hand at the new John Tod Centre YMCA location to make the $250,000 funding announcement Friday, Feb. 27. The contribution will help 1,900 children access YMCA programs in B.C.

"Last year, our programs helped 6,300 local children grow stronger and be more confident by giving them the opportunities they need to reach their full potential," YMCA-YWCA Kamloops CEP Colin Reid said. "With support from the Strong Kids campaign, we hope to increase the number of kids who can access our programs regardless of their ability to pay."

"I am beyond appreciative of this membership funding provided for my child,” Angela, whose son enjoys the programming at the Kamloops YMCA, said in a release. "As a single parent this helps me out tremendously. Now I can have my son attend swimming lessons more than just once per year. My son now looks forward to swimming instead of refusing to go into the water as he was not comfortable or confident in the water prior to his time at the YMCA."

It is estimated more than 25 per cent of children aged two to 17 years are classified as either overweight or obese. Campaigns like YMCA's Strong Kids, Shapedown B.C., MEND and the School Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition program are supported by the government to help encourage children to live and eat healthily, including .

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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